INTERVIEW

Ryan Der is a pottery teacher and artist who is based in a studio with the best view in Sydney—right next to the ocean in Tamarama. He embodies a life steeped in connectedness, he’s built a burgeoning creative community teaching his craft and embraces everyone with open arms. His journey from the fast pace of LA to the coastal calm of Australia reflects his deep appreciation for simplicity and craftsmanship—values that align with CULTIVER.

Just 15 minutes away, Ryan shares a home in a historic 1915 building in Surry Hills with his wife, Alex, and their cat, Baby— a space filled with objects chosen for their history and intention. His minimalist pottery style is inspired by nature, community, and the quiet beauty found in imperfection. For Ryan, home is a sanctuary of comfort, filled with meaningful pieces and sensory rituals—reflecing the care and warmth that can be found in a wet lump of clay, just waiting to be embraced. Take the tour.

I'm Ryan, the pottery enthusiast and teacher who traded the LA hustle for the laid-back charm of Australia in 2019. My pottery studio is nestled on the cliffs of Tamarama, where I teach the local community and take on commissioned projects. There's something special about making things with purpose, and teaching is my way of sharing the joy of clay.

We're fortunate to reside in a building with a rich history that dates back to 1915. I love the character it has; some of its original features, like these enormous timber beams and sash windows, are still intact. I think that working in such an ancient art has given me a deep appreciation for things that carry age and history.

Creativity is a safe space for playful and expressive problem-solving. I find inspiration in nature and the people I collaborate with, especially in my commissioned work. With each brand or person I work with, I take a bit of their story or what they're about and bring it to life using clay. I'm a people person who loves connecting with others, and it's genuinely inspiring for me to understand who they are.

It's 'simple' and ‘minimalist’, just not in the usual sense. I believe in letting shapes speak for themselves. While I can create pieces that look similar, whether hand-built or thrown, each one has subtle differences that make them feel unique. Didn't someone once say that there's beauty in imperfections? My style involves different techniques from wheel throwing to slip casting, slab rolling to pinch pots. I like to keep it open and varied.

I find inspiration in generosity, patience and kindness, especially when my friends, family, and community come together. I also have a lot of friends who are artists in their own right—photographers, painters, musicians, dancers. Being surrounded by a community of creative people, even though we work in different mediums, really gets my motor running.

“I didn't choose the Pottery life; the Pottery life chose me.”

For most of my life, I focused on work, not really exploring arts or crafts. It wasn't until my thirties that I decided to take a class, and by chance, it happened to be pottery. I fell in love with its versatility and ancient, connecting nature. It really does feel like connecting to humans from thousands of years ago through my fingers, and there’s something so beautiful in that.

Home is all about comfort. Collecting knick knacks from moments in my life that I can reflect upon. It holds mementos from great memories, travels, and special moments. A house feels like a home when it's safe, cosy, and peaceful. It's filled with light, soft fabrics, nice smells, and music—nothing feels too precious.

To me, luxury means well-thought-out and considered, with attention to the smallest detail. It's an experience that feels carefully tended to. I always think of it as something created with the collective efforts of many hands and minds.

I start with coffee, always and burning incense is a nice little ritual I appreciate. Reaching out to someone in my life and letting them know I'm thinking of them and how much I appreciate them. Whenever possible, taking a dip in the sea.

loveryanceramics.com | @loveryanceramics